Decision Reference Number: WPC3-0140
Lead Officer: Sara Ansell
Chief Officer approval: N/A
Date: 18th April 2024
Status: Non-confidential
Decision summary:
The Joint Corporate Governance Framework has been fundamentally reviewed and formal approval is now sought of the framework which will cover 2024/25. The Corporate Governance Framework is now made up of 6 separate documents, that should all be read in conjunction with each other, and which replace the 3 separate documents that made up the Corporate Governance Framework previously. All the documents apply to the Police and Crime Commissioner and Warwickshire Police, and have been reviewed by the Joint Audit and Standards Committee at a separate dedicated meeting in early March, prior to the documents being included, discussed and any feedback provided at the March meeting of the Committee.
I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: P.Seccombe
Date: 08/05/2024
Supporting information
1. Background information
The Joint Corporate Governance Framework, has been fundamentally reviewed and is made up of 6 separate documents:
- Corporate Governance Framework introductory document
- Statement and Code of Joint Corporate Governance
- Scheme of Delegation
- Financial Regulations
- Contract Regulations
- Financial Delegations
The framework documents apply to both separate legal entities – the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable and outline how each of them exercise their functions in relation to each other and how corporate governance operates for the PCC and Chief Constable and also jointly between them. Separate ways of working documentation should also be read in conjunction with the above documents, as detailed within the introductory document.
The document includes the statutory framework and local policies, outlines how core principles are to be implemented, sets the parameters within which the organisations will operate, and outlines the separate policies and procedures for the PCC and the force and protocols for effective joint working where appropriate.
The Corporate Governance Framework outlines the statutory framework and local policies, detailing how core principles are to be implemented, including effective financial and risk management. The separate Financial and Contract regulations, are designed to ensure the proper accountability of public funds and to ensure that the best value for money is achieved in acquiring all goods and services. The Scheme of delegation describes the occasions in which the PCC, Chief Constable and Statutory Officers have delegated responsibilities and decision making to others. It provides a framework to ensure that business is carried out lawfully and efficiently, that decisions are not unnecessarily delayed and are taken at an appropriate level. The financial delegations are separately identified to provide clarity regarding financial approval levels to ensure business can continue efficiently and effectively, and reflect the scheme of delegation and budget holder responsibilities.
The Corporate Governance Framework is reviewed annually as a matter of course, but has been more fundamentally reviewed as part of the process this year, and has included input from a variety of staff across the force and OPCC. A number of changes have been made to the documents to make sure that they reflect good practise and that they are meaningful documents that also reflect required current practises and protocols.
The Joint Audit and Standards Committee reviewed the documents and have provided feedback to the Commissioner and Chief Constable prior to formal approval.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
- Corporate Governance Framework introductory document
- Statement and Code of Joint Corporate Governance
- Scheme of Delegation
- Financial Regulations
- Contract Regulations
- Financial Delegations
3. Expected benefits
The review of this framework and the associated separate documents will ensure that Warwickshire PCC and Chief Constable continue to have up to date and good governance arrangements in place to ensure that services can be delivered effectively, efficiently and provide value for money for Warwickshire communities.
4. Impact of not approving the application
The current corporate governance framework will become out of date, unfit for purpose and will eventually potentially be operationally impacting. It is essential that appropriate arrangements for good governance are in place in Warwickshire in 2024/25
5. Costs (including any identified savings)
There are no direct financial implications arising from this decision. However, the revised framework will ensure that effective procedures are in place for spending public funds in Warwickshire and should ensure that value for money is achieved from that spending.
6. Equality considerations
All relevant policies apply, and the documents apply to all, irrespective of their protected characteristics.
7. Legal comments
The review of these governance arrangements will ensure that the Chief Constable and Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner will continue to operate within the legal frameworks that are applicable.
8. Social or Environmental considerations
Adherence to any relevant policies is required.
9. Publication
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Comments from the Treasurer
The Joint Corporate Governance Framework has been comprehensively reviewed by a number of key stakeholders, including the Independent Joint Audit and Standards Committee. The document has been updated, separated out into documents that are easier to understand and more accurately reflect the governance arrangements that staff must operate within for the forthcoming financial year from April 2024.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
These documents are an essential part of the governance arrangements for PCC and Warwickshire Police and set out how they will operate and interact with each other. They are reviewed annually to ensure they reflect requirements correctly.
